I Got Fired As an Adventurer, So I’m Starting Anew As an Alchemist! Frontier Exploration? Alright, Leave It to Me!

136. Keeping Promises Is A Friend’s Duty, Isn’t It?

With Golden Dawn becoming the headquarters of the production guild, many capable individuals, led by the general’s right-hand man Sindri, moved here from the royal capital and other areas.

The upper floors of the guild are getting livelier by the day.

Furthermore, since it’s the headquarters, information from all over starts coming in daily.

I was shown some documents, and it seems like only the Golden Dawn production guild and the Gandarl production guild, where General Grim was, have been posting standout sales figures.

Besides sales, there were documents summarizing requests from artisans.

It seems that many skilled craftsmen are hoping to relocate to Golden Dawn in search of new techniques, and guild masters from various areas are desperately trying to hold them back.

From my perspective, I say bring on as many skilled craftsmen as you want, but the local guilds must be having a tough time.

It looks like managing all that is going to be tough, but it’s not my job, so good luck, Grim and Sindri.

Thanks to Sindri’s efforts, the troublesome coordination with the commercial guild was resolved, and the production of alchemical potions was adjusted.

As he declared, Jabil-sensei and I were finally able to take a normal vacation.

In the alchemy room set up in the basement, Jabil-sensei and I went about our daily tasks.

Today, after finishing our scheduled alchemy on time, Jabil-sensei sat down, rotating his shoulders.

“Honestly. I could keep working all day with stamina potions, but mentally, I’m getting drained.”

“We have the day off tomorrow, so let’s take it easy.”

“Yes, perhaps I’ll relax by doing a bit of research.”

“… Is that really relaxing?”

“Doing what you love is the best form of rest.”

“I see.”

Now, I wondered what I should do.

Thanks to Ryuuko, my maid, I don’t have to spend my day off catching up on laundry, so I have the whole day free.

I was considering inviting Jitaro out for once, but then I remembered I had another promise.

“Oh, right. I need to treat Eva to a meal.”

It was an accident, but I did grab her chest pretty hard, so I need to apologize.

I wonder if Raidoc’s party is at Golden Dawn right now?

They’re a busy group, so there are times they don’t come back for days.

It’s dinner time now, so if I check the adventurer’s guild or a few taverns, I should be able to find out.

When I asked the adventurer’s guild, they said they hadn’t taken on any long-term jobs.

After checking a few taverns, I found Raidoc’s party, all sitting down for a meal together.

With blue-haired Raidoc in the middle, Solar and Eva were glaring at each other.

…She should just give up already. Solar and Eva are clearly already dating.

Raidoc noticed me and, raising his voice, ran over to me.

He’s trying to escape.

“Hey, Craft! Dinner? Want to join us? My treat!”

He slapped my shoulder a few times, but no thanks, I didn’t want to get caught in the middle of those two.

“Nah, I just have something to talk to Eva about… By the way, do you guys have work tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow’s a rest day. We’ve been so busy lately that we’ve only been taking on small jobs, but those don’t come around much for a high-rank party like us…”

“High-rank party problems, huh?”

I shrugged, and Raidoc did the same with a wry smile.

Since they don’t have work tomorrow, that’s perfect. I stood next to Eva.

As usual, she’s dressed in an old-fashioned pointed hat and carries a wand that seems well-used.

It’s rare to see someone so committed to the old-school wizard look. Maybe she’s particular about her fashion.

“…What do you want?”

She was clearly suspicious of me, but I’m a man of my word!

“Eva, I wanted to invite you to dinner. Are you free tomorrow?”

I was inviting her for the meal I promised as an apology. I thought she’d agree right away, but for some reason, Eva looked shocked.

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

Why are Solar, Raidoc, Camille, and Marilyn all looking shocked?

Camille and Marilyn are Eva’s sisters, so I thought they’d know, but maybe she didn’t tell them?

If that’s the case, maybe it seems like a sudden invitation. I added some words to clarify.

“We promised, right? That we’d go out for a meal together?”

This should clear things up.

Since everyone went silent, they must have understood.

“Wait, what!?”

Eva jumped up in a panic.

She grabbed me by the arm and dragged me out of the tavern.

“What are you thinking!? Why do I have to go to dinner with you!?”

Inside, I was thinking, “Huh?” but a promise is a promise, even if the other person forgot.

“Remember? I caused you trouble on that raft… when I grabbed you… like that.”

“You don’t have to remind me!”

Eva yelled, her face bright red.

“You told me I should make it up to you by treating you to dinner, remember?”

At that, Eva furrowed her brows.

“…I did say that…”

It doesn’t seem like she forgot.

“That’s why I’m here to keep my promise. Do you have other plans?”

“No, I’m free tomorrow… but, just the two of us?”

“I mean, I caused trouble for you, not anyone else. It wouldn’t make sense to treat the others.”

I wouldn’t mind treating Raidoc’s whole party or all three sisters, but that would feel like I was ignoring Eva, wouldn’t it?

“Well, I suppose.”

She didn’t seem entirely convinced, but she didn’t reject the idea either.

“What kind of dinner?”

“I mean, we’re not going to have some adventurer or merchant’s breakfast, right?”

Normally, places that serve breakfast or lunch are for people on the go.

If you get bread and soup, you’re lucky.

At a tavern during lunch, you might get meat, but it’s more rustic, not exactly a place to take a woman as an apology.

For dinner, though, there are plenty of restaurants catering to wealthier people.

Especially in Golden Dawn, where talented young chefs and veterans gather to open their own places, there are lots of good restaurants.

Logically, a meal as an apology would be at one of those places.

I could invite her to my house, but I wouldn’t want her to think I’m just being cheap.

In reality, my maid Ryuuko could prepare any full-course meal if I gave her a budget, but I don’t want to give off the wrong impression.

“Well, that’s true…”

Again, she nodded with a look of reluctant agreement.

“Do you not like eating out? I could invite you to my house instead.”

Eva looked stunned, then turned bright red and yelled.

“Huh!? Why would I go to your house!? What are you thinking!?”

So, a meal at my place doesn’t show enough sincerity, huh?

Ryuuko’s cooking is really good, though…

“Sorry, sorry. I’ll take you to a proper restaurant, so don’t be mad.”

“You know, you could just forget about this whole thing…”

“No way! I’m not breaking my promise to you, Eva!”

I don’t want to be the kind of guy who breaks promises to Eva, or Leafan, or Kyle, or Maina, or any of my friends.

Eva’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened and closed like a fish.

Is she a koi?

“…Well, since I’m the one who said it, I guess it’s fine.”

Looks like she’s finally convinced.

“Alright, let’s meet at the central fountain a bit earlier than this tomorrow.”

“The central fountain!?”

Did I say something surprising?

High-end restaurants are mostly near the center of town, so it’s convenient, I thought.

“Would you rather meet somewhere else?”

We could meet in front of the adventurer’s guild or the production guild if she prefers.

“…Well, that’s fine, I guess.”

Why is she phrasing it like a question?

Eva looked uneasy, her gaze wandering around.

Oh, I get it. She’s probably hungry.

I interrupted her meal, so she wanted to get back to it.

I should wrap this up quickly.

“You probably want to get back to your meal, so I’ll head out. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

I raised my hand in a quick wave and left.

Without turning back, so I wouldn’t have to see Eva’s hungry, grumpy face.

I’m on top of things today, aren’t I?

Feeling proud of myself, I returned home satisfied.